Wednesday Afternoon News, April 3

Floyd Valley Honors Volunteers

(Le Mars) -- More than 200 volunteers were recognized during an award luncheon at the Floyd Valley Hospital this morning. All told, the volunteers contributed over 10,800 hours of service to the local hospital during this past year. Yvonne Law was given an award service pin for contributing 2500 hours during the past five and a half years. She says she started volunteering for the hospital gift shop as a way to keep busy after her retirement. Listen to

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Law says depending upon the week, but generally will average at least 10 hours each week. Nancy Augustine serves as the chairperson for the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary. She says the hospital needs and appreciates the contributions of service time and financial donations made by the volunteers. Listen to

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Augustine says the hospital auxiliary generates revenue through special fund raisers such as bake sales and the gift shop items. Listen to

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The auxiliary chair says the volunteer organization also provides "E-R bags" to young people.

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(Le Mars) -- April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Cathy Van Maanen of the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence says there are some startling statistics when you look at the number of sexual assaults that take place. Listen to

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Van Maanen says sexual assaults and domestic violence are often times a "silent crime" because too many times they go unreported, or if reported, sometimes is ignored. Van Maanen says the CSADV is setting up a new program entitled "From Darkness to Light" which serves as an adult education program about sexual assault cases.

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The Council on Sexual Abuse Director says the Le Mars Community School will participate in the program, and she hopes within the near future to share the program with other school districts within Plymouth County. Van Maanen says her agency, like so many others, have felt the financial belt tightening as budget cuts have reduced funding. Although she remains hopeful and confident that no one will be turned away.

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Storm Lake Woman Accused Of Stealing Insurance Funds

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) - A Storm Lake woman has been charged with stealing more than $100,000 in insurance proceeds from family friends. 45-year-old Tum Soulin was arrested Tuesday in Storm Lake and faces felony charges of ongoing criminal conduct and theft. Iowa online court records list her name as Soulin Tum, who also is known asKhamphavongsa Tum. Assistant Storm Lake Police Chief Todd Erskine says Tum Soulin took the money as she supposedly was investing it for family friends. A Buena Vista County jailer said Tum Soulin remained in custody on Wednesday. Online court records don't list the name of her attorney. ---

Centerville Man Arrested For Threatening School

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) - A Centerville man has been charged with threat of terrorism after complaining about the lack of security at local school buildings. Centerville police say 51-year-old Brian Joseph Davis is being held in the Appanoose County Jail on $50,000 bond. A statement released by police Wednesday says Davis made multiple threats allegedly saying he could walk into any school in Centerville and start shooting kids. Police say he made thestatements hoping security at the schools would change. School administrators were notified of his remarks and contacted police. Officers arrested Davis on Tuesday. The charge is a felony in Iowa punishable by up to five years in prison. The case had not yet been entered in online court records and it was unclear whether he has retained an attorney.

Water District To Repay Money To USDA

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A financially struggling central Iowa rural water supplier has reached a debt repayment agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and bondholders to keep itoperating while it restructures debt. The Xenia Rural Water District, based in Bouton, distributes water to 9,400 customers in 11 counties west of Des Moines. It has $45 million of debt owed to the USDA and private bondholders. The USDA says in a statement Tuesday that it continues oversight of the water district, its operations and its finances after working for 3 1/2 years to help Xenia improve operations. A recent debt repayment agreement between Xenia and bondholders cleared the way for USDA Rural Development to move forward with a debt restructuring plan. The district's board approved a 7 percent rate increase in December.

DNR To Improve Rice Lake Water Quality

LAKE MILLS, Iowa (AP) - The state Department of Natural Resources will begin reducing the level of Rice Lake in northern Iowa as part of an effort to restock fish and improve water quality. The DNR says that starting Thursday, it will draw down the lake by 4 feet. The lower level will help re-establish aquatic plants that offer fish habitat and improve water quality. Plans call for restocking the lake with sport fish. State officials say they believe the lake, which is just south of the Minnesota border near Lake Mills, will have a higher recreational value after the work is complete and it's refilled.